cover image Influence

Influence

Sara Shepard and Lilia Buckingham. Delacorte, $17.99 (368p) ISBN 978-0-593-12153-5

An up-and-coming social media influencer from Minneapolis is quickly tangled in a complicated L.A. love triangle in this glamorous thriller by Shepard (Pretty Little Liars) and actor Buckingham. Delilah Rollins, 16, is known online as “Puppy Girl,” after a video of her saving a golden retriever from a burning building went viral. At her first big influencer event after moving to Los Angeles, she meets former child star Jasmine and aspiring actress and YouTuber Fiona Jacobs. Immediately hitting it off, the three bump into Scarlet Leigh—whose sponsorships, fierce reputation, and splashy relationship with YouTube comedian Jack Dono render her “practically a Kardashian.” But when a chance meeting between Delilah and Jack is filmed and circulated, it creates waves in the celebrity sphere. In this collaboration that mashes matters of fame with an unevenly written whodunit, Shepard’s expertise in crafting and layering multiple character perspectives comes through clearly alongside Buckingham’s insider’s take on social media notoriety. Ages 12–up. Agent: Andy McNicol, William Morris Endeavor. (Jan.)